what to do with those leftover candy canes?

The festivities are over and its time for the tree to come down. By now most of those who live in colder climates are ready for the sun to come back and melt all of the snow. But, mother nature will continue to prevail for a few months, at least. Unlike the majority of women in my family, I have never shared in their passion for coffee drinking. When I say passion, I truly mean it.

1. My parents, aunt and uncle took a trip to Italy a few years ago and the majority of the pictures came back with all of the beautifully, frothy cappuccinos that they shared in different cities.

2. When each holiday rolls around you can bet your bottom that they they will receive and continually love their collection of gift cards to Starbucks and Caribou Coffee, even though they already own  high end espresso machines, with to-go cups.

Each time we visit a coffee shop I usually stick with my traditional chai, and never stray. This Christmas something called out to me after hearing Shannon order it while we were still on the phone together, “Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha.” (I’m drinking one right now!) Typically I cringe with the thought of any sort of coffee flavor, until now. Within a week I had consumed 4 cups of this magical goodness and grew an appreciation for my family’s coffee madness.

Right when I fall in love, it gets swept away with our trip to Lebanon. As we arrive I can already feel my taste buds tingle, so I resort to making my own. In Europe and the Middle East, EVERYONE drinks coffee-whether its turkish, arabic, swill, espresso or Nescafe. So I start with baby steps, a packet of Nescafe Mocha, add some milk powder and a third of a leftover candy cane and VOILA I’ve got it! Even though we won’t have to be tortured by below zero temperatures like my family will, I can guarantee I will still be enjoying my delicious mock peppermint white mocha through the winter months!

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